It has been happening for years- McAvennie explains why VAR makes no difference to Celtic decisions
Frank McAvennie believes that VAR has turned Scottish football into a laughing stock.
More than four years after the technology was first used in the EPL the Scottish game finally caught up with an unusual mid-season introduction.
After a quiet debut at the Hibs v St Johnstone match on Friday night it all kicked off on Saturday with Sky Sports covering Celtic’s clash with Hearts.
Two marginal decisions went against Celtic in the first 43 minutes but it was an incident on the stroke of half-time that dominated the aftermath of the game on social media.
Should Celtic ask for publication of VAR conversations between McLean and Walsh?
Yes, it will help fans understand decision making
Teething troubles, we have to trust SFA officials
Clips of Michael Smith raising his left arm to block a cross from James Forrest went viral but despite a clear view Nick Walsh refused to point to the penalty spot. Incredibly VAR Steven McLean agreed with that decision, declining the option of requesting Walsh takes another look on the pitch-side monitor.
Reacting to that incident and a 16 match run without a penalty in the SPFL, McAvennie told Football Insider.
It has happened for years. When I played, the gaffer used to say we will get nothing off the referee. It is going way back. There is no way it is a coincidence.
It does not matter that VAR is in. Against Hearts he [Smith] stopped the ball with his hand and we got nothing, and that is with VAR. It is just not right.
I get how the referees can miss things but not the people watching it. The whole world saw it was a penalty. It is just a laughing stock.
I just find it strange that we have not had any, especially with the amount of attacking play that they have got. There would be one or two
Willie Collum will referee Sunday’s match away to Livingston with Alan Muir as VAR.